CHIEF: DRUGS 85 TO 95 PERCENT OF CRIME

Hazleton's drug problem is a significant part of its overall crime
picture, but measures are being taken to contain it, the city's top
law enforcement official says.

And the city's top drug abuse counselor echoed the drug problem is,
unfortunately, alive and well.

Hazleton Police Chief Robert Ferdinand and Ed Pane, executive director
of the Serento Gardens drug and alcohol treatment center, told their
common story to members of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce at
a Red Carpet Breakfast Thursday morning at Angelo's Restaurant.

Ferdinand said drug abuse is responsible for "85 to 95 percent" of the
city's crime.

"What can we do collectively and how is the Hazleton Police Department
responsible?" Ferdinand asked. "There are numerous ways."

The chief said the city police department's drug enforcement
detachment has been increased and is now the largest such unit in
Luzerne County.

City officers cooperate with the state Attorney General Task Force,
state police vice officers and officers from the federal Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA).

"We are well served by our close cooperation with DEA," Ferdinand
said. "If drug dealers are arrested on federal charges, they get a
longer prison sentence. There is a minimum 10-year sentence for a
federal drug conviction."

Ferdinand said last week's major drug raid is a sign of things to
come.

"During arrests, we have been seizing cars, homes and cash from drug
dealers," Ferdinand said. "During last week's arrest, the owner of the
building was formally advised that since the building was being used
to deal drugs, it can be seized and will be seized if it happens again
with another tenant.

"It was a significant arrest. But there are more arrests to
follow."

Pane thanked Ferdinand and Mayor Luis Barletta, who was also in
attendance, for the big bust.

"Thank you for restoring our sense of security," Pane
said.

Ferdinand said the city is also working with federal Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on the drug trade and gang members in
the city.

With crime in the area - particularly drug trafficking - Ferdinand
offered a possible solution.

"The drug trade does not stop at municipal boundaries," he said.
"Maybe it's time we look at the feasibility of the regional police
idea."

Pane said the information received on the drug tip line - 450-2080 -
comes from all area municipalities.

Ferdinand said police should not only deal with drug dealers, but drug
users.

"If we can get the users into the court system, we can get the court
to order rehab," the chief said. "There was a guy we arrested last
week. He was in a holding cell for possession. I went into the cell
and said to him, 'Do you realize by buying drugs you are causing the
drug problem, bringing that bad element in? He said, 'I know, but I
can't help it.' So we have to try to get people from ever taking drugs."

Another reason for arresting users is to get them into rehab, Pane
said.

"It costs between $40,000 and $50,000 a year to house one inmate in
prison," Pane said. "It costs half that for treatment."

Ferdinand said parents have to get involved. Pane agreed and had
statistics to bear it out.

"The average age for kids to drink for the first time without their
parents there is 11.3 years old," Pane said. "That's why it's
important to know where your child is at all times, and what they're
doing.

"Adolescence is the age when people experiment," Pane continued. "The
average age for their first experience with marijuana is 11.8 year
old. The average age for their first drink is 12.2, and the first time
they smoke marijuana is 13."

Pane said dealers are hawking heroin cheaply to get kids hooked, and
becoming a dealer is easy.

"A kid can get into a car, go to Allentown, stick a $100 bill out the
window and buy 13 bags of marijuana," Pane said. "Crack cocaine and
heroin are the drugs of choice in high school. There is a strong
craving for them. It's like someone holding your head under water and
you want to take a breath."

Ferdinand encouraged city residents to participate in Crime Watch
programs, if one exists in their neighborhood, or start one if it doesn't.